The Sovereignty of Colorado River
Indian Tribes
"The essence of the land exists in the heart
of the indigneous people"
Historic Content
In 1775, when father graces of Spain journeyed the
Colorado River, he found native people living along
the banks of the river in communities as they have
done for thousands of years. The people were the
Mohave and the Chemehuevi. The King of Spain
recognized the sovereignity of the sole occupants of
the territory and treated them as such. Mexico
seceded from Spain and entered into warfare with the
United States in 1848. Mexico signed the Treaty of
Gaudalupe Hidalgo. In this treaty Mexico acknowledged
the sovereignity of the Indian People and admonished
the United States to do the same.
Shortly thereafter, progression of the influx of
outside unfluences through this territroy made it
imperative for the united States to establish the
Colorado River indian reservation y executive order
on March 3, 1865. The creation of the reservation
secured the continuity of the language, culture and
traditions of the Mohave and Chemeheuvi and assured
the retaining of traditional homelands.
From the time of its formation in 1865, the Colorado
River Indian Tribes have moved forward determining
their sovereignity and authority to regulate a legal
tribal government as established by the original
constitution and bylaws approved on August 13, 1937.
Today
The Colorado River Indian tribes embrace a rich
history with diverse cultures. In 1934, under the
Reorganization Act, several Navajo and Hopi
families relocated and settled at C.R.I.T. during
World War II. The United States was in conflict
with Japan. The federal government built several
Japanese internment camps on reservations
throughout the soutwest purportedly for national
security reasions C.R.I.T. was designated as one site.
These historic developments brought changes to the
reservation. As roads were construted, land was
cleared and innovative agricultural experimment were
tested and results successfully raised the economy.
Today, the four tribes enrolled at C.R.I.T. reside in
278,000 acres of pristine land. Each preserves a
distinct culture adn tradition the C.R.I. T. Triabal
Government oversees the fundamental complexities
of business transactions the governing body
consists of nine members chairman, vice chairman,
secretary, treasurer and five council members
business transactions pertain to agriculture
tourism, recreation and moderate industrialization.
The Colorado River Indain Tribes
Daniel Eddy, Jr,. Chairman
Russell Welsh, Vice Chairman
Lawanda Laffoon; Secretary
Eldred Enas, Treasurere
and
Council members:
Conner Byestewa
Fernando Flores
Sylvia Homer
Jerman T. J. Laffoon
Rayford Patch
November 7, 1995
